The only differences I notice are some of the icons and white status icons. The Google launcher isn't here either, swiping to the left doesn't reveal Google now. You also still can't delete home pages, still the default 5. Editing a home page also isn't like the nexus 5, the widgets are still in the app drawer.

While I patiently wait for a CM11 build that may never come, I installed the new Nova beta anyway. At least I got the new folder backgrounds and homescreen indicators. The transparent status/nav bars are probably possible with the new launcher http://forum.xda-dev...d.php?t=2506488 , so Nova Launcher probably isn't the only option (though, personally, I love Nova, so when I do have a Kit-Kat build available I will continue to use it instead of stock).

While I patiently wait for a CM11 build that may never come, I installed the new Nova beta anyway. At least I got the new folder backgrounds and homescreen indicators. The transparent status/nav bars are probably possible with the new launcher http://forum.xda-dev...d.php?t=2506488 , so Nova Launcher probably isn't the only option (though, personally, I love Nova, so when I do have a Kit-Kat build available I will continue to use it instead of stock).

As far as I'm aware the Transparent bars require kitkat, to get access the new themes that make the bars transparent.

As far as I'm aware the Transparent bars require kitkat, to get access the new themes that make the bars transparent.

Yes, it does, that's not what I'm saying. Dude updated to kitkat on his nexus 7, but had to install Nova launcher to get the transparent bars because apparently it didn't install the new launcher. I linked to where one might get the new launcher so you don't have to install nova, at least hypothetically. I haven't updated my daughters' nexus 7s yet, so I can't test that. I further stated that I installed the nova beta and was able to get some of the new visual elements of kit-kat such as the folder backgrounds, but will have to wait for a CM11 build before I can get the transparency. Well, sort of: http://forum.xda-dev...d.php?t=2504373 , but I'm not willing to put in that kind of work.

Update: I just discovered, to my delight, that the xposed framework module gravity box will let you set transparency for the nav and status bars.

Yes, it does, that's not what I'm saying. Dude updated to kitkat on his nexus 7, but had to install Nova launcher to get the transparent bars because apparently it didn't install the new launcher. I linked to where one might get the new launcher so you don't have to install nova, at least hypothetically. I haven't updated my daughters' nexus 7s yet, so I can't test that. I further stated that I installed the nova beta and was able to get some of the new visual elements of kit-kat such as the folder backgrounds, but will have to wait for a CM11 build before I can get the transparency. Well, sort of: http://forum.xda-dev...d.php?t=2504373 , but I'm not willing to put in that kind of work.

Update: I just discovered, to my delight, that the xposed framework module gravity box will let you set transparency for the nav and status bars.

Possibly? I thought I read something about how it was going to be in the play store so any device can run it. The new hangouts and keyboard are already in the play store. In the meantime you can use the method I linked to if it's worth the hassle.

Possibly? I thought I read something about how it was going to be in the play store so any device can run it. The new hangouts and keyboard are already in the play store. In the meantime you can use the method I linked to if it's worth the hassle.

That I hadn't read. I've only heard about a possible exclusive. When I put 4.4 on my phone (the one listed under my name, on the left side of this post) I actually went for a ROM that already had the new launcher.

The Google Experience Launcher isn't exclusive to the Nexus 5.
Is available on PlayStore for any device running 4.1 and higher.
I already had it on my non-rooted Nexus 4 for awhile now by installing the apk files from the Nexus 5 manually but works much better now with the actual update from Google.
Absolutely love the new look and features.